Device with unbalanced rotatable members

ABSTRACT

An upright cylindrical member having a pair of horizontal members mounted for rotation about the upright member with the rotational axes of the horizontal members being remote from their respective centers of gravity. The horizontal members are axially movable to a select location on the upright member. Linear movement at one end of the upright member, or rotary movement at that end, causes the horizontal members to rotate thereabout, because of gravitational effect. Plural rotating members may be used. Sounders, screw propellors and a hollow transparent chamber containing a removable colored substance may be carried by the rotating members.

United States Paten [1 1 Kuntz Nov. 26, 1974 [76] Inventor: Donald J. Kuntz, 361 Sullivan Rd., Aurora, Ill. 60504 [22] Filed: Feb. 21, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 444,309

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 280,051, Aug. 11,

1972, abandoned.

[52] US. Cl 46/52, 46/53, 272/74 [51] Int. Cl A63h 5/00 [58] Field of Search 46/47, 48, 53, 49, 52,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,505,473 8/1924 Klubnick 272/74 1,858,145 5/1932 Felardo 46/51 2,458,668 1/1949 Wood 272/67 2,956,369 10/1960 Rolin 46/51 3,071,891 l/1963 Stippick 46/47 3,162,975 12/1964 Amato 46/49 X 3,167,881 2/1965 Mazzadra 46/47 3,502,329 3/1970 Brazier U 272/81 3,672,093 6/1972 Meek 272/67 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 593,756 3/1960 Canada 272/74 1,217,153 12/1959 France 461/47 Primary ExaminerF. Barry Shay Attorney, Agent, or FirmHill, Gross, Simpson, Van Santen, Steadman, Chiara & Simpson [5 7] 6 ABSTRACT An upright cylindrical member having a pair of horizontal members mounted for rotation about the upright member with the rotational axes of the horizontal members being remote from their respective centers of gravity. The horizontal members are axially movable to a select location on the upright member. Linear movement at one end of the upright member, or rotary movement at that end, causes the horizontal members to rotate thereabout, because of gravitational effect. Plural rotating members may be used. Sounders, screw propellors and a hollow transparent chamber containing a removable colored substance may be carried by the rotating members.

12 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures DEVICE WITH UNBALANCED ROTATABLE MEMBERS CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This is a continuation-in-part of my US. Ser. No. 280,051, filed Aug. 11, 1972, now abandoned, and which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to amusement devices and more particularly to amusement devices requiring dexterity on the part of a player to maintain movement of part of the device.

2. Prior Art Many amusement devices are known that require various amounts of dexterity on the part of a player. One such device, known under the trade name Hula Hoop comprises a circular hoop-like member with a central opening for loosely mounting it about the body, arm, leg, etc., of a player. When the player moves the portion having the hoop member thereon at a correct speed, the hoop rotates about the moving portion. The dexterity of a player is measured by the number of hoops he can simultaneously cause to rotate about one or more portions of his body and/or by the length of time he can keep a hoop rotating. Another amusement device commonly known as a hoop-and-stick comprises a circular hoop rotating on the ground and a short stick with which a player occasionally taps the outer surface of the hoop in a forward direction to keep it rotating along the ground.

Such devices require fairly vigorous movement on the part of a player and thus quickly tire a player so that the player loses interest in the device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention generally provides a novel amusement device comprising an upright member and at least one horizontal member mounted for rotation thereabout whereby motion imparted to one end of the upright member by a player causes the horizontal member to rotate about the upright member.

It is a novel feature of the invention to mount a horizontal member about the upright member on an axis of rotation of the horizontal member remote from the center of gravity thereof and to provide means for axially adjusting the location of the horizontal member on the upright member.

It is another feature of the invention to provide an outer peripheral area on the horizontal member of greater density than other portions thereof.

It is yet another feature of the invention to provide a means on the horizontal member for generating a signal during rotational movement of the horizontal member.

It is yet a further feature of the invention to provide BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevated view, with some portion in phantom, of an amusement device embodying the principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view taken substantially along lines II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along lines IIIIII of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view taken substantially along lines IV-IV of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an elevated view of a preferred embodiment of an amusement device constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a plan view taken substantially along lines VI-VI of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a modified member of the device illustrated at FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a plan view taken substantially along lines VIII-VIII of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a plan view similar to FIG. 7 of a further modified member of the device illustrated at FIG. 6; and

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along lines X-X of FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the drawings, similar elements are designated by the same reference numerals.

The amusement device of the invention is suitable for all types of players, male, female, adult, child, etc., and is highly entertaining without requiring overly vigorous movement of a player or unusual dexterity.

The amusement device is constructed of any suitable material, preferably a light-weight economical material such as a plastic. However, cardboard, paper, wood, metal, etc., may also be utilized in constructing the device of the invention. Plastic materials are preferred because of the ease of fabricating parts therefrom, their economic accessibility, their ability to withstand rough handling, their safety characteristics, their ability to incorporate various colors and/or indicia, their favorable density, etc. Preferred plastic materials are thermoplastics such as polyethylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), cellulosics, nylon, acylonitrile-butadienestyrene (ABS). However, thermoset plastics may also be used and include such plastic materials as phenolics, ureas, and melamines.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary form of the amusement device 10 of the invention. The device 10 comprises a cylindrical axially extended upright member 11 and at least one horizontal member 13, mounted on the member 11 for rotation thereabout when an end of the upright member 11 is moved, such as back and forth or circularly by a player. As shown, member 13 may comprise a pair of somewhat plate-like horizontal members 13 and 13" for a greater degree of amusement, each of which have a width or radial dimension greater than a thickness or axial dimension. It will be appreciated that the invention thus includes an embodiment using a single horizontal member or a plurality thereof. Each member 13 has a center of gravity C (as best seen, for example, at FIG. 2) and an axis of rotation A located remotely from the center of gravity C thereof and between the center of gravity and the peripheral border of member 13. A mounting means 14, such as an aperture, is provided in member 13 at an axis of rotation thereof for mounting member 13 onto member 11. A support means 15 is provided for locating a member 13 at a user-selected location on member 1 1 and maintaining member 13 at that location while allowing member 13 to freely rotate about member 11.

In the embodiment shown at FIG. 1, the member 11 is formed of a plurality of segments, such as an upper segment 11a and a lower segment 11b, that mate with one another. When a short player seeks to utilize the device 10, he may adjust the length ofthe member 11, either by removing one or more lower segments, such as 11b or by merely inserting a greater portion of an upper segment into a lower segment. Of course, a taller player reverses this procedure and adjusts the length of device to suit his size. Upper segment 11a may be provided with an offset upper end 1 laa for grasping by a player. A loosely fitting cap 12 is shown mounted on the upper end llaa. When a player grasps the peripheral surface of cap 12, he can move at least the upper segment 11a in a linear or rotational motion so as to rotate one or more of the horizontal members, such as the member 13 about member 11. Either type of motion is suitable for activating member 13 and a player attempts to maintain the rotational movement of member 13 about member 11 for as long as possible. In embodiments where a plurality of horizontal members are utilized, other variations are possible, such as rotating the plurality of horizontal members in opposing directions about member 11. The lower segment 11b has a lower end llbb for contacting a support surface S. In the embodiment shown, the non-skid support base member 16 fits about lower end llbb so that the device 10 is freestanding. The invention includes embodiments without such a base member. I

In the form shown, at least lower segment 11b is a hollow cylindrical stub. Upper segment 11a may be a solid or hollow portion as desired and is preferably of a uniform diameter at least along the main portion thereof.

FIG. 2 illustrates one form of a plate-like member 13. In the embodiment shown, member 13 is of a circular shape and has a center of gravity C and an axis of rotation A located remotely therefrom. A mounting means, such as aperture 14 is provided with a select size diameter, for example, such as to loosely receive member 11 therein, for mounting member 13 onto member 11. A support means 15 may be provided for maintaining member 13 at a user-selected location on member 11. If desired, the support means may be omitted and the aperture within member 13 sized to maintain member 13 at a select location on member 11 while allowing member 13 to rotate about member 11 upon activation. However, in presently preferred embodiments, a support means 15 having radially outwardly extending surfaces is utilized to maintain member 13 at a selected location on member 11 while allowing member 13 to freely rotate about member 11.

In preferred embodiments, a horizontal plate-like member 13 is mounted on the upright member 11 via an aperture in member 13 and is located at a userselected axial position on member 11 via an axially movable support means 15 of any conventional construction, such as for example, a collar or sleeve, preferably composed at least in part of a plastic characterized by a low coefficient of friction, such as a fluoroplastic, for example, chlorotrifluoroethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidine fluoride, fluorinated ethylene-propylene or the like. In addition, nylon and similar low friction plastics may also be used. The support means 15 frictionally engages the outer periphery of member 11 at an adjustable location along the body portion of member 11 while allowing member 13 to freely rotate about member 11 in response to a userinduced motion. Typically, a support means 15 includes an opening which snugly encircles a uniform diameter body portion of member 11 so as to maintain the support means at an axially adjustable location on member 11, while surfaces outwards of the opening support a plate-like member l3'at that location while allowing member 13 to freely rotate about member 11.

An alternate embodiment of a support means 15 is shown at FIG. 3 and comprises a sleeve 17a which has an opening that snugly fits about member 11 for positioning the sleeve along the length of member 11. A groove 17b is provided on the peripheral surface of sleeve 17a for mating with adjacent surfaces of member 13 so as to allow the member 13 to rotate within the groove 17b. In the form shown, a locking means 17c may be provided for securing the sleeve at a given point, however, if desired, the locking means may be omitted or a suitable flange or the like may be provided along portions of member 1 1 for support of member 13 at a given location. Further, additional types of support means may be provided for maintaining member 13 on member 11 while allowing member 13 to freely rotate about member 11.

FIG. 4 illustrates a form of base member 16. As shown, base member 17 includes an outer rim portion 16a and an inner stub 16c joined to one another by a plurality of ribs 16b. While this type of base construction allows the amusement device to be free-standing, it is not required and may be replaced with other types of base members.

FIG. 5 illustrates a now preferred embodiment 10A of the invention. The amusement device in embodiment 10A comprises a cylindrical member 11 having a unitary body portion lle which is of a substantially uniform diameter. A grasping means 1 laa, such as a knob or the like, may be provided at an upper end of body portion Me for the convenience of a player. If desired, the grasping means llaa may include a signal means, such as a rattle therein for additional attraction. A non skid base or cap 16 may be provided at a lower end of body portion lle for contacting a support surface S. The cap 16 may also include a signal means, for example, a small horn or the like, actuated by air forced from the interior of the cap. A pair of substantially flat plate-like members 13' and 13" are mounted for rotation on body portion lle via mounting apertures 14. Each of the members 13' and 13" are axially movable along portion lle by adjustment of their respective support means. An extremely economical and easily adjustable means for supporting a plate-like member on an upright member comprises a movable support means, which in the form shown, is two pairs of support members 35a and 35b respectively, with each pair being associated with one plate-like member 13. Each of the support members 35a and 35b, respectively, are positioned on opposite sides of a plate-like member so as to maintain the plate-like member between the pair of support members. Each of the support members include an opening of a size snugly encircling the outer periphery of body portion lle and frictionally maintaining the support member at a select, but adjustable location on member 11. The opening may be of circular, square, triangular or some other geometric shape which allows a support member to be readily mounted onto member l1 and to be easily adjustable from one location to another along body portion lle while pre venting a plate-like member 13 from freely axially moving along member 11. Each of the support members 35a and 35b also include surfaces outward of the opening for supporting a member 13 at a select location while allowing member 13 to freely rotate about member II. The entire amusement device A may be comprised of a plastic material, such as one of the exemplary types mentioned earlier.

FIG. 6 illustrates a modified form of member 13 which, as shown, comprises a discontinuous body 13b having a center of gravity C with an axis of rotation A remote therefrom. The discontinuous body 13b is com posed of an outer rim 21 and a plurality of radial ribs 22 joined to one another at a point in the vicinity of the center of body 1312. Open areas 23 alternate withsolid rib areas 22 to define the body 1319. As will be appreciated, other shaped ribs and/or open areas may be utilized if desired. A mounting aperture 14 is positioned along one of the ribs at a point remote from the center of gravity C and so as to generally correspond with the axis of rotation A. In the embodiment shown, a pair of independent and identical mounting apertures 14a and 14b are provided in linear alignment with each other and with the center of gravity C Such a plurality of mounting apertures allow a player to select the degree of difficulty desired for rotating a member 13 about member 11. As will be appreciated, it is less difficult to rotate a member 13 when aperture 14a is utilized. Further, if desired, apertures 14a and 14b may be located on separate rib areas.

In certain forms of this embodiment, the outer rim 21 is more dense than other parts of the body 13b, as by molding (or otherwise fabricating) the rim 21 to have a larger cross-section than other portions of the body ll3b. Another means of achieving greater density in the outer rim 21 is to incorporate heavier materials, such as pieces of metal into the material such as plastic, forming member 13. A member 13 having an outer peripheral border of greater density than other portions thereof is somewhat easier to rotate than a similar member of substantially uniform density throughout its body. Nevertheless, by locating the axis of rotation of a member 13 remote from the center of gravity thereof, a member having the uniform density throughout its body functions in a satisfactory manner.

FIG. 7 shows a further modified form of a member 13, which is in the form of a sector-shaped solid body 1311a having an outer peripheral border 21a of greater density than the main body portion 220. The body l3aa has a center gravity C and anaxis of rotation A located remote therefrom. An aperture 14 is provided generally concentric with the axis of rotation A. Body 1311a is mounted on the member 11 and supported at a select location thereon by support member 35a so as to be freely rotatable on its axis of rotation about an upright member 111. The member 13 may have a substantially uniform cross-section throughout body l3aa or, for economy, it may have a somewhat Lshaped crosssection which includes a relatively thin flat main portion extending horizontally and a short dependent flange at border 21 extending downwardly from the main portion.

A means 24 for generating a signal may be attached to a surface, such as the upper surface, of the body a to generate a signal during rotational movement of the body l3aa. As shown in FIG. 8, means 24 may be in the form of a screw propeller 24a which produces a visible signal by passage through air. Another embodiment of means 24 is shown at FIG. 10 and comprises a whistle 24-!) which produces an audible signal by passage through air. Other signal generating means may also be utilized.

FIG. 9 illustrates a further modified form of a member 13, which comprises a sectorshaped discontinuous body 'l3bb. The body 1319b is formed so that the outer peripheral border 21b thereof comprises a hollow chamber (best seen at FIG. 10) selectively fillable with a relatively dense material, such as sand, water. etc., and a suitable valve means 26 is provided along the surface of such a hollow chamber to allow a user to fill or empty the chamber as desired. When, for example, the outer border 21b is formed of a transparent material, a user may fill the hollow chamber thereof with a colored substance, thereby increasing the visual appeal of the device. The discontinuous body I3bb is formed with alternating solid areas 22 and open areas 23 and with a mounting means 15, such as a pair of apertures 14a and 14b spaced remotely from the center of gravity C thereof.

As shown in FIG. 10, a member 13 includes a main body portion 130 having a pair of mounting apertures 14c and Me at one end thereof. A hollow peripheral border 21]) is located on body portion 130 opposite ap ertures 14c and I42. A whistle 24b is shown mounted on the upper surface of border 21b. The body portion of member 13 may carry indicia. such as a select pattern of colors or designs for greater eye appeal.

As is apparent from the foregoing specification, the present invention is susceptible of being embodied with various alterations and modifications which may differ particularly from those that have been described in the preceding specification and description. For this reason, it is to be fully understood that all of the foregoing is intended to be merely illustrative and is not to be construed or interpreted as being restrictive or otherwise limiting of the present invention, excepting as set forth and defined in the hereto-appendant claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. An amusement device comprised of:

a cylindrical axially extending upright member,

said upright member having a first means at one end thereof for manual grasping and a second means at an end opposite said one means for contacting a support surface;

at least one plate-like member which includes a center of gravity and at least one aperture for encircling said upright member, said aperture being positioned at a rotational axis of said plate member located between said center of gravity and an outer peripheral border of said plate member; and

an axially movable support means having an opening for snugly encircling said upright member and surfaces outwards of said opening for supporting said plate member at a select location on said upright member while allowing said plate member to freely rotate about said upright members;

said plate member being mounted via said aperture therein onto said upright member and being located between said first and second means of said upright member via said support means for free r tation about said upright member,

whereby select movement of said first means of the upright member causes said plate member to rotate on said rotational axis and about said upright member.

2. An amusement device as defined in claim 1 wherein said plate-like member is of circular form.

3. An amusement device as defined in claim 1 wherein said plate-like member is of sector form.

4. An amusement device as defined in claim 1 wherein said plate-like member is a discontinuous body with open areas adjacent solid areas.

5. An amusement device as defined in claim 1 wherein said plate-like member is provided with a uniform outer peripheral border of greater density than other areas thereof.

6. An amusement device as defined in claim 1 wherein said plate-like member is provided with a means for generating a signal by rotational movement of said plate-like member.

7. An amusement device as defined in claim 6 wherein said means for generating a signal comprises a whistle.

8. An amusement device as defined in claim 6 wherein said means for generating a signal comprises a screw propeller.

9. An amusement device as defined in claim 1 including a pair of plate-like members, each of said plate-like members having a pair of apertures and each of said apertures being located at a different radial position spaced from the center of gravity of a respective platelike member.

10. An amusement device as defined in claim 1 wherein said plate-like member includes a means defining a hollow chamber positioned at an outer peripheral border of said plate-like member and a valve means associated with said chamber for providing ingress and egress to said chamber.

11. An amusement device as defined in claim 10 wherein said means defining the hollow chamber is composed of a transparent material and a colored substance is positioned within said hollow chamber.

12. An amusement device comprising:

a cylindrical axially extending upright member, said upright member having a first means at one end thereof for manual grasping and a second means at an end thereof opposite said one end for contacting a support surface;

a pair of sector-shaped horizontally extending platelike members, each having a body with a width dimension substantially greater than a thickness dimension thereof,

said plate-like members each having a center of gravity and at least one aperture for encircling said upright member, said aperture being positioned at a rotational axis of a respective plate-like member located between said center of gravity and an outer peripheral border of such plate-like member, and support means including a pair of axially movable support members in association with each of said plate-like members, each of said support members having an opening therein for snugly encircling said upright member and surfaces outwards of said opening for maintaining a respective plate-like member at a select location on said upright member while allowing such plate-like member to freely rotate about said upright member,

said plate-like members each being mounted via said aperture onto said upright member and being located between said first and second means of said upright member via a pair of said support members for free rotation about said upright member,

whereby select movement of said first means of said upright member causes said plate-like members to rotate on their respective rotational axis and about said upright member. 

1. An amusement device comprised of: a cylindrical axially extending upright member, said upright member having a first means at one end thereof for manual grasping and a second means at an end opposite said one means for contacting a support surface; at least one plate-like member which includes a center of gravity and at least one aperture for encircling said upright member, said aperture being positioned at a rotational axis of said plate member located between said center of gravity and an outer peripheral border of said plate member; and an axially movable support means having an opening for snugly encircling said upright member and surfaces outwards of said opening for supporting said plate member at a select location on said upright member while allowing said plate member to freely rotate about said upright members; said plate member being mounted via said aperture therein onto said upright member and being located between said first and second means of said upright member via said support means for free rotation about said upright member, whereby select movement of said first means of the upright member causes said plate member to rotate on said rotational axis and about said upright member.
 2. An amusement device as defined in claim 1 wherein said plate-like member is of circular form.
 3. An amusement device as defined in claim 1 wherein said plate-like member is of sector form.
 4. An amusement device as defined in claim 1 wherein said plate-like member is a discontinuous body with open areas adjacent solid areas.
 5. An amusement device as defined in claim 1 wherein said plate-like member is provided with a uniform outer peripheral border of greater density than other areas thereof.
 6. An amusement device as defined in claim 1 wherein said plate-like member is provided with a means for generating a signal by rotational movement of said plate-like member.
 7. An amusement device as defined in claim 6 wherein said means for generating a signal comprises a whistle.
 8. An amusement device as defined in claim 6 wherein said means for generating a signal comprises a screw propeller.
 9. An amusement device as defined in claim 1 including a pair of plate-like members, each of said plate-like members having a pair of apertures and each of said apertures being located at a different radial position spaced from the center of gravity of a respective plate-like member.
 10. An amusement device as defined in claim 1 wherein said plate-like member includes a means defining a hollow chamber positioned at an outer peripheral border of said plate-like member and a valve means associated with said chamber for providing ingress and egress to said chamber.
 11. An amusement device as defined in claim 10 wherein said means defining the hollow chamber is composed of a transparent material and a colored substance is positioned within said hollow chamber.
 12. An amusement device comprising: a cylindrical axially extending upright member, said upright member having a first means at one end thereof for manual grasping and a second means at an End thereof opposite said one end for contacting a support surface; a pair of sector-shaped horizontally extending plate-like members, each having a body with a width dimension substantially greater than a thickness dimension thereof, said plate-like members each having a center of gravity and at least one aperture for encircling said upright member, said aperture being positioned at a rotational axis of a respective plate-like member located between said center of gravity and an outer peripheral border of such plate-like member, and support means including a pair of axially movable support members in association with each of said plate-like members, each of said support members having an opening therein for snugly encircling said upright member and surfaces outwards of said opening for maintaining a respective plate-like member at a select location on said upright member while allowing such plate-like member to freely rotate about said upright member, said plate-like members each being mounted via said aperture onto said upright member and being located between said first and second means of said upright member via a pair of said support members for free rotation about said upright member, whereby select movement of said first means of said upright member causes said plate-like members to rotate on their respective rotational axis and about said upright member. 